Real Madrid and the organisers of the European Super League are seeking more than $4 billion in damages from UEFA, accusing the European football governing body of unlawfully blocking the proposed breakaway competition, a source confirmed to AFP on Thursday, October 30.
The demand follows a Spanish court ruling on Wednesday that rejected UEFA’s appeal and sided with the Super League’s promoters.
Launched in 2021 by 12 elite European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Super League project collapsed within days amid widespread backlash from fans—particularly in England—and threats of sanctions from both UEFA and FIFA.
In December 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA and FIFA’s attempts to obstruct the Super League violated European competition law. A Spanish judge later concluded that both bodies had “restricted free competition” through anti-competitive practices and abuse of dominance in European football.
The Madrid court also dismissed appeals from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, clearing the path for Super League organisers to seek financial redress.
A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League, criticised UEFA for refusing to embrace meaningful reform despite “months of discussions.” The company stated that it had “no alternative” but to pursue compensation for the damages sustained.
“After years of litigation, UEFA can no longer disregard binding court rulings,” said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart. “Their monopoly and obstruction of innovation have caused serious harm to clubs, players, and stakeholders across Europe.”
UEFA, however, maintains that its current regulatory framework remains valid. In a statement to AFP, the organisation said: “This judgment does not legitimise the abandoned 2021 Super League project, nor does it affect UEFA’s current authorisation rules—updated in 2022 and 2024—which remain fully enforceable. These rules ensure that any cross-border competitions are evaluated based on objective, transparent, and fair criteria.”
Real Madrid hailed the court decision as a major legal triumph, asserting that UEFA had “gravely violated the EU’s free competition laws” by abusing its authority.
“The club will continue to act in the best interests of global football and its supporters, while pursuing substantial damages from UEFA,” the Spanish champions said in an official statement.
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